It's not hard to work out why Channel 4's First Dates is so compelling. There’s no better way to feel awkward in your own home than by watching couples going through their toe-cringingly awkward first encounters, right? So, when Channel 4 offered me the chance to go on an actual first date with 22-year-old model and star of tonight's show Sam Reece, I thought 'why not?'
However, it turns out going on a first date is just as nerve-wracking and weird when it's for a story as it is IRL - especially when the date in question is with a guy who as a distinct look of Jared Leto circa 2014 about him. When we met I'd just spent 20 minutes looking for the restaurant, haden't eaten all day and was covered in a delicious sheen of congealed sweat.
He, on the other hand, looked almost comically model-like - tall, dark and ruggedly handsome. He was dressed in all-black, topped off with a man-bun and a £750 leather jacket he was gifted from a brand he can’t remember (he later told me he gets so much free stuff that whenever he returns to his family home in Sheffield, ‘it’s like Christmas’).
After a firm handshake and quiet hello, we took our seats in the secluded restaurant and our date began...
So Sam, how many dates have you been on this year?
I don’t date that often because I’m always busy. Probably about four. I used to be bad though! When I was young I was a typical lad, but now I’ve got it out of my system.
What’s your preferred type of date?
To be honest, I never ever go for food purely because I’m a messy eater and it can be a bit awkward. I usually just go for drinks.
Do you worry people only date you because of the way you look?
I don’t know, that’s one of the main things I date a girl for though - for their looks [I look slightly horrified]. But I guess if they have a shit personality...
What’s worse – you being overdressed and her being underdressed, or you being underdressed?
Her being overdressed, but then I’d just give her banter about it, and if she can’t take it she’s obviously quite boring [he laughs].
What do you wear to a first date? What do you want her to wear to a first date?
I’d probably just wear this- T-shirt, jeans and jacket. I’d want a girl to wear jeans and heels or something like that.
Are any restaurants snooty about your tattoos?
I’ve never experienced that but one of my mates has got tattoos all up to his neck and sometimes we can’t get into a club in Sheffield.
Would you ever get a tattoo for a girl?
I would for kids but not ever for a wife
Is it off-putting when people are fussy about food? Are you fussy about food?
I’m fussy about food. I only like chicken or salmon, no other meat.
What things should people never ever discuss on a first date?
How many people you’ve slept with.Or, if a girl started talking about really disgusting things I’d probably pretend someone was ringing me and that I needed to leave.
What’s the best way to end a date that's going badly?
Go to the toilet and ring your mate and tell them to ring you with an emergency. I’ve once run off, this was like when I was 17. I took a girl to the cinema, went to the back row, and, you know when you see someone’s pictures then you meet them and they don’t look like what you thought and you’re thinking 'What the hell?'
So on this date I was thinking that, so when the film started I said ‘I’m just going to nip to the toilet’ then left. I didn’t have her number or anything just her BBM. As I was walking down the cinema stairs I deleted her on BBM, went straight out into my car and drove home. She could still be sat there now, I don’t know!
What do you do when conversation goes quiet?
Get my phone out? [I explain how this might be a little rude] Ok, fine, I would go to the toilet and think of something to say while I’m in there before I came back!
Can you still get drunk if you’re on a dinner date?
Yeah! I’d probably end up going out after because I’m a bit of a party animal
How romantic can you get on a first date?
I don’t like really cheesy stuff so…
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for someone?
One of my ex girlfriends had ever been to London before so we got on a train and I didn’t tell her where we were going and we went to London. I attempted to cook a meal once for a girl and nearly burned down the house [I ask what it was and whether he can cook] It was spag bol and no, my Mum usually does all the cooking!
Have you ever cheated on anyone?
No, I’ve been cheated on before though
Who should pay at the end of a dinner date and why?
During First Dates, it came to the end of the date and we both knew we wouldn’t be seeing each other again, so the bill came, and I only thought it was fair to half it because I don’t want to pay for a date when I’m not going to see her again. But if I wanted to see her again I would have paid. I’d never get a girl to pay for everything though ever, and would always pay for the drinks.
What’s the most awkward way of saying goodbye on a first date?
When one of you goes in for a kiss first and the other is sent to the side!
After our food had arrived, the conversation ran a little dry, and I found myself coming up with all the talking points, like, um…‘do you wear make up?’, ‘what do you think of Kim Kardashian’s new hair?’, ‘what time do you go to bed?’
Perhaps he let me ask these ridiculous questions because he simply couldn’t be bothered to ask his own. Or maybe I had food in my teeth - he kept staring at me with a perplexed look on his face.
I don't think we were destined to be, but we did have a* bit* of a laugh, so I suppose Sam’s underlying cheeky chappy sense of humour might work for some – if not, his piercing blue eyes might just do it. But regardless, I eagerly anticipate Sam’s charming alter ego making an appearance on *First Dates *tonight…
Becky and Sam ate at the Paternoster Chop House){href='/wp-admin/(http:/www.paternosterchophouse.co.uk/)' }, where First Dates is filmed
First Dates* is on Channel 4 tonight (Wed 1st April) at 10pm*
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Follow Becky on Twitter @BFearn25
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.